Union Volleyball Falls to Spartanburg Methodist in Straight Sets

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. — Union Commonwealth University's women's volleyball team (3-12, 3-2 AAC) fell to Spartanburg Methodist (7-12, 2-4 AAC) Friday night at Bridges Arena, 3-0.

The Pioneers swept the Bulldogs by scores of 25-21, 25-22 and 25-18.

Game Recap

Set 1: Spartanburg Methodist 25, Union 21
Union opened the first set with a kill from Natalie Sanders and held a narrow lead until 18-17. Spartanburg Methodist then scored three straight points, forcing a Union timeout, and closed on a 5-3 run to take the set 25-21.
Top performer: Emily Shumaker led Union with three kills.

Set 2: Spartanburg Methodist 25, Union 22
The Bulldogs again struck first, this time on a Pioneer attack error. The set featured four lead changes before Spartanburg Methodist pulled ahead 14-12 and extended its advantage to 21-14. Union fought back within 21-18 but ultimately dropped the set 25-22.
Top performers: Shumaker tallied four kills, while Berkli Benefield added three.

Set 3: Spartanburg Methodist 25, Union 18
Union opened the third set with a kill from Ginevra Girardo, but Spartanburg Methodist quickly took control, leading 7-3. The Bulldogs cut the deficit to 18-16 before the Pioneers closed on a 7-2 run to seal the match 25-18.
Top performers: Benefield and Girardo each recorded three kills.

Up Next
Union travels to Columbia, S.C., to face CIU on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m.